Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider continues to charm audiences with its unique blend of heartfelt nostalgia, absurd humor, and genuine action. Episode 8, titled “Ichiyo Suggests a Tournament to Decide Who’s the Strongest,” which aired on November 23, 2025, amplifies these elements, further exploring the motivations of its diverse cast of Kamen Rider enthusiasts and introducing a deadly new threat. The episode deepens the narrative around the mysterious “Shocker” brainwashing and sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown.
The Unseen Force: Love as an Antidote to Brainwashing
A significant revelation in Episode 8 centers on the mechanics of the Shocker brainwashing. It is revealed that “love” serves as a universal key to undoing Shocker’s mind control. This concept is explored through various characters, highlighting that the definition of love is broad, encompassing romantic affection, familial bonds, and even fervent passion for hobbies like an idol group.
The episode introduces Thunder Raiko, a formidable Shocker combatant tasked with hunting down and eliminating those who have broken free from their brainwashing. Raiko struggles to comprehend why any combatant would betray Shocker and repeatedly questions her targets about how they managed to escape their control. Their consistent response, “You wouldn’t understand,” underscores Raiko’s inability to grasp the concept of love, which is precisely why she remains under Shocker’s influence. If she could understand, she herself would likely be free and hunted.
The Looming Threat of Thunder Raiko
Thunder Raiko’s introduction marks a darker turn for the series, as she is depicted systematically purging former Shocker combatants. One particularly somber scene involves a combatant on the verge of proposing to his girlfriend, only to be brutally eliminated by Raiko. Another instance shows a combatant on the phone with his daughter, with a birthday cake and present, before meeting a similar fate. Raiko is nearly defeated by a combatant who proclaims his strength comes from his love for his family, but Bat Man intervenes, saving her and strengthening her with his blood.
This development establishes Thunder Raiko as a significant antagonist, adding a layer of genuine danger to the often comedic escapades of Tojima and his fellow Rider enthusiasts. Her relentless pursuit of those freed from Shocker’s control raises the stakes, suggesting that the “Fake Shocker” crimes are more organized and perilous than initially perceived.
Training for the Tournament: Who is the Strongest Kamen Rider?
The back half of Episode 8 shifts focus to Tojima and his allies as they grapple with the growing reality of real monsters and the implications of Shocker’s activities. In response to the escalating threats and the need to determine the strongest among them, Ichiyo Shimamura, who emulates Kamen Rider V3, proposes a tournament. The group agrees to a ten-day individual training period before reconvening for the competition.
Tojima, ever dedicated to his dream, returns to the mountains for his training, where he once again encounters the bear he famously defeated in Episode 1. He dispatches the bear with a “Rider Punch” and “Rider Kick,” showcasing his continued, if unconventional, dedication to physical prowess. This scene notably prompted a second on-screen warning for viewers, advising against fighting bears and prioritizing safety, a quirky disclaimer that has become a viral topic given recent bear attack reports in Japan.
The tournament promises to be a central plot point, not only as a means to identify the most capable “Kamen Rider” among them but also as a stage for Ichiyo to prove his strength, especially after being unable to land a hit on a monster that Tojima vanquished. The comedic interplay and the genuine passion for Kamen Rider lore among the characters continue to shine, even as the narrative embraces more serious themes.
Where to Watch Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider
Fans eager to follow Tanzaburo Tojima’s journey can watch Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider on Crunchyroll, which streams the anime in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, and the Indian subcontinent. In Japan, the series airs on Tokyo MX and other networks.
